Workplace Vehicle Accidents

Workplace Vehicle Accidents

Large trucks and other workplace vehicles allow many industries to function effectively, such as construction, manufacturing, mining, and the oil industry. These powerful vehicles carry a high risk, though, and transportation actually accounts for the highest number of worker deaths in any industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,740 fatalities occurred in workplace transportation accidents, accounting for nearly 40% of total work-related deaths across all industries. The heavy loads carried by workplace vehicles, sometimes including hazardous materials, often contribute more severe damages in the instant of an incident.

Visibility, vehicle integrity, exhaust fumes, exposed hot pipes, and emergency shut-off protocols are all major concerns when keeping workers safe. Even something as simple as placing more lighting around a work area greatly increases the safety of operating a vehicle at a work site. Training is also essential in preventing workplace accidents, as well as keeping employees informed on what to do if an emergency situation should occur.

Workplace vehicles can include:

Forklifts

Dump trucks

Light rail cars

Tractors

Trains

Diesel trucks

Cement trucks

Lift trucks

Negligence can greatly increase the risk of workplace vehicle accidents, and employers, supervisors, and companies must take steps to prevent incidents in the workplace. For instance, drivers with inadequate training or who are overworked are much more likely to be involved in a disastrous incident. If a company’s hiring or operating practices do not provide a safe environment for workers, they could be liable for the resulting damages.

It can be challenging to determine who is at fault after an accident involving a workplace vehicle. A manufacturer, supervisor, or a number of other parties could have contributed to unsafe conditions and caused or exacerbated the accident. Especially in the face of a complex or intimidating situation, having an experienced workplace injury attorney on your side can be invaluable.

Texas Attorney for Workplace Vehicle Accidents

If you or a loved one had been harmed through an accident involving a vehicle at their work, do not hesitate to enlist the help of the personal injury lawyers at The Gutierrez Law Firm. We have decades of experience in helping workers who have been injured in a number of scenarios, and we’re not afraid to take on even the most intimidating companies on you behalf.